Who's Who in the Aberree - the Cast of Characters

The people who people the Aberree were definitely characters - as in, "he's quite a character." They're quirky and opinionated. They have an interest in exploration, and most have a distinct sense of humor.

Alphia and Agnes Hart founded the Aberree.

Alphia Hart

The editor of the Aberree. Also known as "Ye Ed" and "the devil". He regularly refers to his green eyeshade. According to the masthead, he was a Doctor of Scientology, a Fellow of Scientology, a Bachelor of Scientology, and a graduate of the HCA and HDA courses. He was editor of the Journal of Scientology before he left Phoenix for Enid, Oklahoma. He and Agnes are married.

Agnes Hart

The publisher of the Aberree. Also known as "Ye Pub." According to the masthead, she was a graduate of the HCA course. She and Alphia are married.

A number of important figures from the early days of Dianetics and Scientology pop up regularly in the pages of the Aberree. Here's a short, terribly incomplete list:

A. E. van Vogt

A well-known science fiction writer, A. E. van Vogt was very active in Dianetics; he ran the Hubbard Dianetic Center in Hollywood in 1955. His wife, Mayne, was also well-known to Aberree readers. The Weird Worlds of A. E. van Vogt is an excellent resource for more information.

Don Purcell

According to A Piece of Blue Sky, Purcell was "The head of the Omega Oil Company ... a self-made millionaire." Purcell bailed out the Elizabeth (New Jersey) Dianetics foundation and established a new on in Wichita; Purcell was president, and L. Ron Hubbard was vice-president. Shortly afterward, the two men had a falling out. Hubbard began attacking Purcell and threatened to sue him for a million dollars. Ultimately, Purcell gave many of the foundations remaining assets, including copyrights, to Hubbard, and allied himself with Art Coulter's Synergetics instead.

Volney Mathison

Mathison was the inventor of the E-Meter and author of several books about self-exploration. Advertisements for his meters and books appear throughout the Aberree.